London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Beckenham 1945

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]

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and maintained by the Waifs & Strays Society.
2. The Home of Compassion, Bromley Road.
3. Miss Sharman's Home for Girls, Newlands Park.
4. The Salvation Army Home for Girls, " Willoughby," Crystal
Palace Park Road.
5. The Aberdare Memorial Home for Boys, Woodland Way, West
Wickham.
6. Dr. Barnardo's Home for Girls, 16, Park Road, Beckenham.
E. HOMES FOR THE AGED.
The arrangements made by the County Council for the
care of old people in institutions have been severely curtailed
by war-time difficulties, and it is now extremely difficult to
obtain accommodation in any of the County Hospitals, even
when advancing years and chronic illness make it essential
that these old folk should have more care than it is possible
to receive from relatives or those with whom they live. It is
to be hoped that this problem will be dealt with before long.
Experience during air-raids shows that there are a large
number of old people living alone, far from any relatives who
can give them a helping hand.
The S.O.S. Society opened a Hostel for old people at
71, Bromley Road, Beckenham, in 1944, and this has met a
real need. The Beckenham Old People's Committee has
helped in many ways to provide extra comforts and furnishings
for the occupants of this Hostel.
F. PRIVATE NURSING HOMES.
Most of the premises used for this purpose were damaged
by bombing and had to be closed. At the end of 1945 there
were five private homes registered in the Borough and these
provided a total of 52 beds.
These premises were inspected under the Nursing Homes
(Registration) Act, and 12 visits were made to the premises
by the Assistant Medical Officer of Health.
G. NURSING ARRANGEMENTS.
Professional Nursing in the Home.
(a) Midwifery. The County Council remains the supervising
authority under the Midwives Acts, and repeated applications
by the Borough Council for delegation of powers have been
refused.
The Kent County Council provide 3 midwives for this
area, and in 1945 they attended 135 confinements.
(b) General. For all general Nursing in the Home the services of
the Queens Nurses are available. This service is organised
by the Beckenham & Shortlands District Nursing Association
and the West Wickham & Hayes District Nursing Association.
These Associations employ 5 nurses. A small fee is
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